Groups Urge Swift Measures to Reduce AI's Eco Impact

Just days before a major AI conference in Paris, which will see the gathering of industry CEOs, heads of state, academics, and nonprofits, over 100 organizations have come together to voice their concerns about AI's environmental impact. In an open letter, these groups, including heavyweights like Amnesty International and the AI Now Institute, are calling on the AI industry and regulators to take action against the technology's harmful effects on the environment.

The letter points out the growing evidence that AI systems are increasing emissions, deepening our reliance on non-renewable energy sources, and depleting vital resources. Despite this, the letter argues, the tech sector and governments continue to justify further AI investments without addressing these negative externalities.

"AI can never be a 'climate solution' if it runs on fossil fuels," the letter firmly states. The signatories are demanding that AI systems be designed to operate within our planet's ecological limits. They specifically call for AI infrastructure, such as data centers, to be powered without fossil fuels. The letter highlights how the rush to develop AI is putting immense strain on electric grids, sometimes forcing utilities to resort to coal and other environmentally harmful energy sources.

The letter cites data from the International Energy Agency, warning that global data center electricity consumption could double to over 1,000 terawatts by 2026, matching Japan's annual electricity use. This surge in demand is pushing power infrastructure to its limits and exacerbating our dependence on fossil fuels, which in turn contributes to public health issues due to pollution.

Moreover, the signatories are urging governments and tech companies to prevent new data centers from depleting water and land resources. They also demand transparency regarding AI's environmental impacts throughout its entire lifecycle. Data centers, which can cover millions of square feet, consume vast amounts of water not just for cooling the chips but also for maintaining safe humidity levels for computing equipment. For instance, if just one in ten U.S. residents used OpenAI's ChatGPT to write an email weekly, it would require over 435 million liters of water.

The letter's signatories believe their demands are the "bare minimum" needed to address the ongoing harm caused by unchecked AI expansion. They emphasize that countries and communities most vulnerable to rapid climate change are the first to suffer from AI's computational demands, yet they have the least influence over its development. The letter calls for a shift in perspective, urging us to move beyond seeing technological progress as inherently beneficial or limitless, and instead prioritize AI processes that contribute positively to society while minimizing environmental and human harm.

However, the signatories face a challenging situation in the U.S., home to most major AI companies. President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to prioritize growth at any cost, stating he will use an energy emergency declaration to expedite the approval of new power stations for AI data centers, including those using coal for backup power. Trump has also promised to fast-track environmental approvals and other permits for companies investing $1 billion or more domestically.